Emergency notification – These are the highest and most urgent of alerts in which there is immediate danger to life and health. An example of an emergency alert would be a chlorine leak from a rail car. All phone numbers in city databases will receive phone calls, texts or emails when there is an emergency, regardless of if citizens have signed up with Code Red.

General notifications – These are alerts to help warn the public of potential dangers. The Carbide incident would have fallen into this category because citizens near the plant were not in immediate danger. Citizens must sign up to receive these alerts.

Severe weather notifications – These are to warn citizens about tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, flash flooding and other weather bulletins. These alerts are sent directly from the National Weather Service, allowing citizens to be alerted about danger at the same time as the weather service alerts MetroSafe. Citizens must sign up to receive these alerts.

Citizens who do not have access to computers or the Internet may visit public libraries to sign up for Code Red. Citizens who cannot visit the library may call MetroCall 311 and have a city employee enter their information into the system. MetroCall will be helping citizens sign up for Code Red every weekday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.